Carol Marie Kelso

Carol was born on October 11, 1927 to Floyd and Elizabeth Bessey of Sheridan, Wyoming. She joined her parents and older sister, Margaret (Margie), on a ranch outside of town. Another sister, Katherine (Kay) was born four years after Carol. Ranching life was hard work in those times. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing. It was Margie’s and Carols job to keep the wood box filled for the cook stove and in the winter, the heater for the living room. When Carol was in first grade, she and Margie had to ride horses to school. Eventually, the ranch was sold and the family moved into town.

Carol’s mother, Elizabeth, loved to sew. She made coats, dresses, and ski pants for the girls. Carol learned to sew at an early age. She remembered having to add blocks of wood to pedals of the singer treadle sewing machine so she could reach them.

When World War 2 started, Floyd moved to Washington to build ships for the war. The family settled in Woodland, Washington. Carol graduated from Woodland High School in 1945. She began working as a grade school secretary. She met Marvin Kelso on a double date. He lived in Centralia, Washington and had been discharged from the Coast Guard. Carol and Marv spent every weekend together and wrote each other letters nearly every day. They were married on February 22, 1947. They relocated to Kennewick, Washington. They established lifelong friendships with Bob and Myrna Decker, Swede and Rose Jensen, and Ken and Em Evans. The young families enjoyed many fun-filled adventures together.

Carol and Marv had four children. Jerry was born in February, 1950. Robert (Bob) arrived on New Year’s Eve of 1951. Diane followed in March of 1953 and Becky was born in November of 1954. Those were hectic, fun times with four children under the age of five! Marv was a truck driver and part-time mechanic. He helped build hydroplane motors and the family spent summer weekends on a lake or a river where he was a pit mechanic. Eventually the family moved from the tri-cities to the Vancouver area. With all the kids in school, Carol went to work in Portland for Peerless Pacific Plumbing Supply. Marv became a mechanic for Consolidated Freightways, where he began his union career as a shop steward. He was elected as a Business Representative for the International Associations of Machinists. Thus began a 30-year career, traveling the eleven Western States. After she retired, Carol traveled with him as much as possible.

In 1967, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and eventually settled in Tigard. All four children graduated from Tigard High. They all married and 6 grandchildren arrived. All of her children live in the greater Portland area. Jerry and his wife, Becky live in Wilsonville. Bob and his wife live in Oregon City. Diane and her husband Lynn live in North Plains. Becky and her husband Steve live in Sherwood. Carol adored her grandchildren; Andrea, Leesha, Chris, Ryan, David, and Eric. She is the proud GG to 14 great grandchildren; Colby, Colin, Jenna, Ava, Everly, Emerson, Archer, Charley, Dean, Abe, Titus, Noah, Madden, and Micah. She leaves behind many enduring friendships, among them, Sandi Wright, and Carol’s god-daughter, Candyce. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Laurel Schrieber, and her grief group friends, the Newbies.

Carol was the matriarch of this family. Her unconditional love, quiet support, and gentle sprit will reside with each one of us for eternity. Her example of grace, love and the importance of family will guide us as we journey through this life without her by our sides. Our many memories will sustain us as we strive to follow the example she set. It is my belief that she is reunited with her beloved Marv and her little fur babies, Griz and Lita. Maybe they are playing a hand of pinocle with their old friends. Rest in peace, sweet mother, grandma, GG.